Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Psalms – 174

Scripture:

Ps. 119:115
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Comment:

Obedience to the Word of God makes us fight.

In the previous lesson we said that the bible is an instruction book for spiritual warfare, but of course, it’s more than that. The bible reveals the will of God, and there we see that He wants us to fight against the evil spiritual world.

Since approx. one third of Jesus’ ministry here on earth was to cast out evil spirits, He showed us that it is the Father’s will for us to deliver people. Jesus only did what the Father told him to do.
The will of God has not changed just because Jesus is no longer here on earth. The difference is that Jesus now deals with the evil spirits through the church.

When it comes to spiritual warfare it’s not about how we feel about it, but it’s about obedience to God. Let’s look at two scriptures that clearly show that God has meant us to deal with the evil spiritual world:

Mark 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils …

Luke 10:19 (ESV)
Look! I have given you the authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy’s power …

We all have a choice when it comes to spiritual warfare. Either we respond to the will of God, or we don’t. What is your choice?

Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Psalms – 173

Scripture:

Ps. 119:95 (ESV)
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.

Comment:

The bible is an important instruction book for spiritual warfare.

In this teaching series we base our study of spiritual warfare on the Book of Psalms. In that book we find many important truths. Among other things we learn about the enemy and about ourselves, and we learn about how to handle attacks. But there is information about spiritual warfare everywhere in the bible. We just have to understand the meaning of the text.

We don’t usually read the bible from a spiritual warfare perspective. When we have gotten hold of the fact that the bible has much to say about the subject, it becomes easier to find interesting scriptures.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the subject spiritual warfare to you while you are reading the bible. Besides the Book of Psalms you can read Proverbs, Joshua, Nehemiah, just to mention a few bible books where you can read about spiritual warfare.

We also would like to encourage you to read the Book of Acts from a spiritual warfare perspective. When you read it, ask yourself which situations could have been demonic, and how the believers reacted.

Well said

“Feed your faith and starve your doubts to death!”
(Lester Sumrall)

Demonology – 85

85. THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT (part 40)

How do I become aware of the influence of the Jezebel spirit in my own life?

One factor worthy to focus upon is, how much we want to deal with the wrong we have done to others. And, how easily do we forgive others when they have wronged us? These things don’t necessarily have to be connected to the Jezebel spirit, but it can be a sign that we are influenced by that spirit.

How does the Jezebel spirit react on repentance and forgiveness?

It’s typical for the Jezebel spirit to refuse to repent.

Rev. 2:20-21
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

We have already said that the Jezebel spirit hates humility, and to repent and seek reconciliation is a way to humiliate oneself. Our flesh wants to help us make excuses, and make light of what we have done wrong. So it may be hard to repent even without the Jezebel spirit being involved. But, since it’s such a typical sign of the Jezebel spirit we need to watch for it.

What do I need to ask myself concerning repentance and forgiveness?

Regardless of whether we have a problem with the Jezebel spirit or not, we need to ask ourselves the following questions:

• Is it easy to excuse myself when I have done something wrong against others?
• Does it matter if someone did something wrong against me first? Does that person have himself to blame?
• Is it easy for me to neglect and refuse to deal with what I have done wrong?
• How easily do I forgive somebody who has done wrong to me?
• Do I get upset about how I was treated, or do I get concerned about the person who treated me wrongly?
• Do I feel a need for revenge, or at least clearly demonstrate that I was treated wrongly?
• Do I wish for reconciliation with all my heart, regardless whose fault it was?

Once again we want to point out that having a problem with repentance and forgiveness doesn’t automatically mean it’s the Jezebel spirit. But, if we have problems in those areas and at the same time have other signs pointing to the Jezebel spirit, we need to be aware.

Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Psalms – 172

Scripture:

Ps. 119:95 (ESV)
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.

Comment:

You are being watched by the evil spiritual world.

It’s important for us to be aware of the fact, that we are being watched by evil spirits. It can, of course, be frightening to remind ourselves that there are evil spirits around us, and that they are watching us, but the truth is, it’s dangerous to be unaware of it. We must also be aware, that we are far more dangerous for the evil spirits, than they are for us.

What are the evil spirits looking for? They look for sin in our lives, and they also study our reactions.

If we have sins, that we have not confessed, we walk around with open doors that the evil spirits can use. And of course the evil spirits look for them. That is one of the reasons why we should be quick to confess when we have sinned.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

You might say; “But I don’t sin. I don’t murder, nor do I steal”. But, what about all the ’white lies’, outbursts of anger, broken promises, self pity, etc.? The list could go on and on. Take all those things to God, before the evil spirits see open doors and use them.

We said before that our reactions are being studied. The evil spirits cannot read your thoughts, and that is why they study how you react in different situations. Your reactions reveal your thoughts.

If you have fear in your life you will react to a situation, based on that fear. Reacting in fear, is a signal to the evil spirits to attack those areas where you have fear.

Do you get angry easily? It shows, and the evil spirits notice. They will then work on getting you into situations where it’s easy for you to get angry. For instance, they can inspire people around you to say, or do such things that tempt you to anger.

Lets start closing doors to the evil spirits, by confessing sin, and reacting in a Godly way.

Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Psalms – 171

Scripture:

Ps. 119:23 (ESV)
Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Comment:

”Even though princes …”

There is a hierarchy in the evil spiritual world. Demons are the ‘foot soldiers’ but there are evil spirits with higher ranks, e.g. princes.

”… princes sit plotting against me …”

To be harassed by a demon is tough. To be attacked by a principality is tougher. Here it is spoken of an attack by several principalities!

”… your servant will meditate on your statutes”

The author of the psalm says that although he is attacked by principalities, he spends his time reading God’s statutes. Had it been written today we would have said he was reading the bible. Why did he do that? Because we get the right perspective on things when we read the Word of God. We need to see that God is powerful, and we need to see how inferior the enemy is. We also need to see our position in authority as God’s children. All that becomes evident when we read the bible.

The evil spiritual world is successful because most believers lack knowledge. We need to read the bible more, being lead by the Holy Spirit.

Demonology – 84

84. THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT (part 39)

How should we deal with the Jezebel spirit?

We are going to look at how to deal with the Jezebel spirit personally, and how to deal with that spirit in others.

What is the first step when dealing with the Jezebel spirit in our own life?

The very first step is to become aware of the fact that you are influenced by the Jezebel spirit. You will do nothing about the problem unless you are aware of it.
We must understand that it’s very rare to automatically be aware of having problems with the Jezebel spirit.

How do I become aware of the influence from the Jezebel spirit in my own life?

The Holy Spirit is your Helper (The Swedish bibles use the word Helper instead of Comforter), and He longs to show you what needs to be changed in your life. He speaks to you in many different ways, but most of all through His Word, the bible. When we read the Word of God we sometimes are challenged, and we need to be observant about such challenges. We must be serious about them and not try to explain them away.
In order to identify the influence the Jezebel spirit has on us we need to be aware of how we react when the bible speaks about e.g. submission, humility, surrender and confession of sins.

We will soon look at more factors, but first we must state something very important.

Should we walk around being afraid that we might be exposed for attacks by the Jezebel spirit?

The bible tells us never to worry, and that goes for fear of the Jezebel spirit too. We must be aware of the fact that the enemy can use our fear to open us up for the same spirits that we fear. Therefore we should take a stand against fear whenever and in whatever way it may turn up.

You also need to remember that one of the names of the devil is The Accuser. He loves to use your wish for a clean life as a tool to torment you. Don’t accept every thought that turns up when you search to expose the Jezebel spirit in your life. God will show you the truth in more than one way.

Remember that God wants to help you get free, even more than you long for it yourself.

Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Psalms – 170

Scripture:

Ps. 108:13 (NIV)
With God we will gain the victory …

(Swedish version: ”With God we will do mighty things …”)

Comment:

We are meant to do mighty things.
Walking through the valley of tears, the best we can, is not God’s purpose for the church. He wants to use us to do MIGHTY THINGS. We, of course, are not talking about in our own power, but God’s.

God sends His power against the evil spiritual world, but He uses the church as a channel for His power. The evil spirits are aware of that, and they try to make us, the believers, think we can do nothing. So then we need to hold on to the truth in the scripture above, “With God we will gain the victory“, or like the Swedish version says, “With God we will do mighty things”.

There is another important truth in Ps 108:13. It’s WITH God we can do mighty things. When we act by ourselves, we may have a good aim, and the idea might seem good, but if it’s not from God, it will be powerless. Therefore we need to seek God’s will, and act according to his will. Then mighty things can happen.

Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Psalms – 169

Scripture:

Ps. 108:12 (NIV)
Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.

Comment:

Unsaved doctors cannot handle demonic attacks.

Let’s thank God for doctors and everybody working within medical service. They are doing a great work. At the same time no person who isn’t saved can handle demonic attacks. That goes for doctors too. Not until we receive Jesus as our Savior do we receive authority over the evil spiritual world. That means unsaved doctors have an unequal struggle when they try to cure patients when demons are involved.

A person had a vision. He saw a friend in an emergency room, and he saw the doctors trying to fight that person’s sickness. He also saw the demons fill the patient with ‘poison’. When the doctors gave shots, the demons filled the patient with more poison.

Every sickness of course, is not caused by demons. But as long as the medical service is not aware of the fact that demons can be involved, they will not be able to fully help the patients.

We need more Christian doctors, and we also need Christian hospitals. But, more than anything else we need to understand our need for God.

Demonology – 83

83. THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT (part 38)

How does the Jezebel spirit react to true authority?

One of the best ways to identify the presence of the Jezebel spirit is to watch how a person reacts to true authority.

The Jezebel spirit, just like every other evil spirit, prefers to work secretly. That way the spirits can work much more efficiently. But there are situations where the Jezebel spirit has a hard time avoiding manifestation. One of those is when a Jezebel person gets into a situation where he/she is expected to subdue him-/her to one in authority. Until that point the Jezebel spirit might have been resting, or it might have been playing a religious game making the Jezebel person act seemingly willing to serve. Jezebel persons may seem very willing to serve, and they can be very skilled in many ways.

A Jezebel person might be regarded as a big help for a pastor. But, when it comes to subduing under the pastor’s guidance, especially in situations where the Jezebel person doesn’t share the pastor’s opinion, there will almost certainly be a manifestation.
The first time might not be so dramatic. At that point the Jezebel person probably will try to manipulate the pastor. But if that doesn’t work, if the person in a position of authority does not give in to the opinion of the Jezebel person, then the Jezebel spirit usually manifests very clearly.

What is true authority?

Authority that is mentioned in the bible, is true authority, i.e. the husband’s authority in the family, the pastor’s authority in the church and so on.

How should we deal with a manifestation of the Jezebel spirit?

It’s very important to stand firm and not bow down for the pressure from the Jezebel person, but it must be done while keeping one’s temper. It is necessary to have firmness in love, and it’s only the Holy Spirit who can help us act in the right way.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is meekness, ‘praotes’ in the original Greek. It is explained as a gentle firmness, and a firm gentleness. It’s a gentleness that isn’t weak and it doesn’t give in, and at the same time it is a firmness that doesn’t ‘kill’. We need that fruit of the Spirit in order to deal with the manifestations of the Jezebel spirit in the right way.